Below is data taken from a batch reactor of bacterial growth (after lag phase was over). The bacteria are allowed to grow as fast as possible for the first 2.5 hours, and then they are induced to produce a recombinant protein, the production of which slows the bacterial growth significantly. The theoretical growth of bacteria can be described by

dX/dt = μX

Where X is the number of bacteria and μ is the specific growth rate of the bacteria during exponential growth. Based on the data, estimate the specific growth rate of the bacteria during the first 2 hours of growth? During the next 4 hours of growth?

Time, h 1 2 3 4 [Cells), g/L 0.100 0.332 1.102 1.644 2.453 5.460 3.660